Amber heat warnings issued for parts of southern England 18. June 2026 (14:36) Temperatures expected to hit 30C on Friday and remain high over weekend as second heatwave in three weeks approaches Amber heat warnings have been issued for parts of southern England as a second heatwave in the space of three weeks approaches.Temperatures are expected to climb to 30C on Friday, remain high over the weekend, and reach 33C on Monday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Choppy waters ahead as Iceland gets ready for its own EU referendum 18. June 2026 (13:30) In this week’s newsletter: After Trump’s interventions over Greenland, there are many in Iceland who believe they would be stronger in the EU. But will its recent history of independence win out?• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereAs the UK marks the tenth anniversary of its fateful Brexit referendum next Tuesday, Iceland is fast approaching its moment of truth about the EU – albeit from the opposite direction.On 29 August, Icelanders will be asked whether or not to they want to come back to the table with Brussels for negotiations about joining the EU. Iceland originally applied in 2009 after the financial crash, but pulled out of talks in 2013 saying it couldn’t go any further without a referendum. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Teenager dies after being thrown from horse-drawn carriage in Central Park 18. June 2026 (13:19) New York police department say teenager thrown to the ground when horse bolted away from its driverA teenager thrown to the ground Wednesday when a Central Park carriage horse bolted away from its driver has died, according to police.The 18-year-old was riding in the horse-drawn carriage with three other passengers when the accident happened just before 3pm, according to the New York police department. At least two passengers were sent flying out of the careening cab. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Irish parliament votes to remove three-day abortion wait 18. June 2026 (13:11) Waiting period before receiving medication was included in draft law to gain support for abortion ban in 2018 referendumIreland’s parliament has voted to remove a mandatory three-day wait for abortion during early pregnancy after campaigners said the rule was an unnecessary restriction.The Dáil passed the bill on Wednesday night, clearing a path for the legislation to go to a parliamentary committee and become law later this, or next, year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Guardian Australia’s Matilda Boseley wins major award at 2026 Walkley mid-year media prizes 18. June 2026 (13:00) Boseley won for her high-profile, multiplatform political explainer series, Parliamen-Tea: explaining the chaos of Australian politicsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGuardian Australia’s Matilda Boseley has taken out one of the top honours at the 2026 Walkley mid-year media prizes, winning the award for innovative storytelling.Boseley won for her high-profile, multiplatform political explainer series, Parliamen-Tea: explaining the chaos of Australian politics, engaging a younger generation in national policy debate. The category recognises journalism that breaks standard structural moulds to reach and inform audiences through dynamic digital platforms and creative production formats. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Polls open in historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer’s future – UK politics live 18. June 2026 (11:49) Andy Burnham hopes a successful byelection will mean he can encourage Keir Starmer to step aside as prime ministerUp to 3,000 Labour campaigners are expected to descend on Makerfield for Andy Burnham, prompting fears among organisers that the hordes of activists may end up overwhelming voters during Thursday’s byelection.Local hotels are fully booked and party members are expected to be dispatched to polling stations, and to leaflet people waiting at bus stops and school gates to avoid swamping residents on their doorsteps. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US to review benefits of having troops in Europe with ‘era of free-riding’ over – Europe live 18. June 2026 (11:41) US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said that US dues to the Nato budget will be contingent on other countries meeting defence spending targetsHegseth makes it clear that the review will not be just a box-ticking exercise.“It’s a review that some countries will fail and others will pass with flying colours. In the end, the review is intended to both improve US force posture and basing and strengthen Nato 3.0.”“It will be designed to ensure that Nato is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defence of Europe.”“Where other allies do not spend with urgency, our dues, contributions will go down. Nato will be a two-way street.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK mosques advised to run lockdown drills amid fears of anti-Muslim attacks 18. June 2026 (11:00) Exclusive: Muslim Council of Britain national guidance also urges mosques to strengthen police ties and improve CCTVMosques are being advised to carry out lockdown drills, strengthen ties with local police and improve CCTV coverage under new national guidance published amid growing concerns about anti-Muslim attacks.The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has released new security and preparedness framework for mosques, trustees and volunteers, warning that places of worship and community centres face an increasing threat from vandalism, intimidation, threats and targeted hostility. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Drax cleared after investigation into sourcing of wood pellets 18. June 2026 (10:13) Generator’s shares rise as regulator finds no evidence of misleading statements about fuel’s sustainabilityBusiness live – latest updatesThe City watchdog has closed an investigation into the power generator Drax after an almost 10-month review into the sourcing of wood pellets for its biomass station.The Financial Conduct Authority said it had “reviewed thousands of pages” but that it “did not find evidence that justified any further action”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cambridge experts recreate 336-year-old garden to commemorate ‘father of natural history’ 18. June 2026 (10:00) John Ray, 17th-century botanist who coined words petal and pollen, was a tutor at Cambridge when he created his first gardenHe coined the terms petal and pollen, helped to lay the foundations of modern biology and is widely regarded as the greatest English naturalist of the 17th century.But it was while he was a young college tutor at Cambridge in the 1650s that the botanist John Ray – also known as “the father of natural history” – created his first known garden and began to systematically study plants for the first time. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
